GATHERING OF THE ORDER
Communities encompass the physical, mental, and spiritual realms; yet there remains the unrivaled energy of many people gathering in one place. When this happens, the possibilities for change and growth are limitless. Great ideas, healing networks, and new friendships emerge when the Order of the Most Holy Mary Theotokos assembles in Chapter in conjunction with the annual Synod/Retreat. It is at these meetings that Brothers and Sisters make their solemn professions, take their monastic vows, receive the laying on of hands for Holy Orders, and seek the blessing of and instruction from the Archbishop-Abbot. The Old Catholic Marianists held their first gathering August 12th through 14th, 2011 at the Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia.
2011 O.SS.T. Synod / Retreat
Synod Theme:
WITNESS TO JESUS THROUGH MARY
ROAD MAP FOR OUR MISSION
We are on a journey to accomplish a mission. What is our mission? To give WITNESS TO JESUS THROUGH MARY! We, who encounter the risen Lord Jesus himself in the Eucharist, are sent out by him, in the power of his Spirit, to give flesh and bone to the Eternal Word of God, the God who is love. We are members of his body – his hands, his feet, his mouth, his heart. We proclaim him when we gather to worship. We praise him when we reach out to the poor and the needy. We express our love for him when yearning to know more about him and his wonderful way in faith formation. We courageously follow him when we take up the crosses that come with living in truth. What route is God calling us to take at this time to accomplish this mission? This my Sisters and Brothers is what our gathering is all about.
One of the beauties of General Synod is the gathering of synod itself... We all come from far and wide, bringing with us the specific contexts in which we have and continue to serve as a part of what has shaped and formed us as individuals. As we gather, we listen to each other, and in the best instances, while we listen to each other, we hear a little bit of the reality of serving in another context. While it seems context is most easily defined by geography, other contributing factors include experiences, and relationships. I already look forward to our next Synod...learning and hearing the context of my fellow delegates and hope anyone reading will also join with me in deep listening with the help of the Holy Spirit.
~ Dom ++Robert, O.SS.T.
Praise awaits you, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled. ~ Ps. 65:1
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